RoadVitals

1992 Buick Skylark Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
32
Latest Aug 21, 2001
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
13
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
5

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1992 Buick Skylark, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Brakes717.5%
  • Electrical615.0%
  • Transmission512.5%
  • Driver assistance410.0%
  • Engine410.0%
  • Visibility37.5%
  • Interior & seats25.0%
  • Fuel system25.0%
  • Body & structure25.0%
  • Steering25.0%
  • Suspension12.5%
  • Seat belts12.5%
  • Exterior lighting12.5%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

VEHICLE SHUDDERS/VIBRATES WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ID 844635 · filed Aug 9, 1999

ANTI LOCK BRAKES ENGAGE UNNECESSARILY, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE.

NHTSA ID 526070 · filed Dec 11, 1997

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

VEHICLE STALLS AT SLOW SPEEDS. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES.*AK

NHTSA ID 879004 · filed Jan 25, 2001

I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. I REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH, FUSIBLE LINK, AND STARTER WHEN THE IGNITION STARTED TO SMOKE/BURN WHEN STARTING IN THE PARKING LOT. THE REPLACEMENT STARTER FAILED 3 MONTHS LATER AND THE REPLACEMENT FUSIBLE LINK 4 MONTHS LATER. I HAVE ALSO HAD THE POWER WINDOWS REPAIRED 3 TIMES, THE POWER LOCKS TWICE, THE BATTERY TWICE, AND THE TURN SIGNAL/MULTIFUNCTION LEVER ONCE IN 3 1/2 YEARS. A POWER LOCK BROKE AGAIN A FEW WEEKS AGO. *AK

NHTSA ID 722075 · filed Apr 28, 2000

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED SEVERAL YEARS AGO. INTERMITTENTLY, WHEN IN PARK, THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR WILL NOT MOVE OUT OF PARK. I HAVE WORKED AROUND IT BY TILTING THE STEERING WHEEL UP AND DOWN SHARPLY SEVERAL TIMES WHEN THIS OCCURS AND IT WILL THEN ALLOW THE SHIFT. SOMETIMES THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY, SOMETIMES IT IS SEVERAL MONTHS IN BETWEEN FAILURES. I JUST DISCOVERED THAT GM HAD A SAFETY RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM I 1993. SINCE I DID NOT OWN THE CAR THEN, I HAVE NO IDEA WHETHER THE THEN OWNER WAS NOTIFIED OR WHETHER THE BTSI SOLENOID WAS REPLACED AT THAT TIME UNDER THE RECALL PROGRAM. HOW CAN I FIND OUT IT (1) MY CAR WAS SUBJECT TO THE RECALL, (2) IF THE RECALL WORK WAS EVER DONE AND (3) IF I AM ELIGIBLE TO HAVE IT DONE NOW, ASSUMING IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN BUT WASN'T. IF SO, WHOM DO I CONTACT. THANK YOU FOR WHATEVER INFORMATION YOU CAN PROVIDE.*AK

NHTSA ID 739989 · filed Jan 26, 2001

WHILE CAR WAS PARKED AND SHUT OFF, VEHICLE SOMEWAY JUMPED OUT OF OF PARK AND ROLLED ACROSS THE LOT, HITTING ANOTHER PARKED CAR. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS UNSAFE. *AK

NHTSA ID 860955 · filed Apr 26, 2000

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CAUSING ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID 508294 · filed Sep 4, 1996

DRIVER GOT INTO VEHICLE, PUT KEY INTO IGNITION, BACKED OUT OF GARAGE, HAD FOOT ON THE BRAKE, PUT VEHICLE IN DRIVE, VEHICLE SHOT FORWARD, HIT THE FENCE KNOCKING A WELL TOP OFF-PUSHING A LARGE ROCK-BAN INTO HOUSE.*AK

NHTSA ID 800971 · filed Sep 3, 1996

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

VEHICLE 330 ENGINE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STALL AT ANY GIVEN SPEED. VEHICLE BEEN INTO DEALER SHOP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID 894858 · filed Aug 21, 2001

COOLING SYSTEM FAILURE. *AK

NHTSA ID 715921 · filed Dec 10, 1999

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. I REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH, FUSIBLE LINK, AND STARTER WHEN THE IGNITION STARTED TO SMOKE/BURN WHEN STARTING IN THE PARKING LOT. THE REPLACEMENT STARTER FAILED 3 MONTHS LATER AND THE REPLACEMENT FUSIBLE LINK 4 MONTHS LATER. I HAVE ALSO HAD THE POWER WINDOWS REPAIRED 3 TIMES, THE POWER LOCKS TWICE, THE BATTERY TWICE, AND THE TURN SIGNAL/MULTIFUNCTION LEVER ONCE IN 3 1/2 YEARS. A POWER LOCK BROKE AGAIN A FEW WEEKS AGO. *AK

NHTSA ID 722075 · filed Apr 28, 2000

THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FAILS TO ROLL UP OR DOWN. ALL OTHER WINDOWS DO NOT ROLL PROPERLY. WINDOWS DISENGAGE FROM RUN CHANNEL DUE TO INSUFFICIENT CHANNEL DEPTH.

NHTSA ID 527768 · filed Jan 4, 1998

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

HOOD LATCH FAILED TO HOLD HOOD DOWN, CAUSING HOOD TO FLY UP/LOSS OF VISION IN FRONT OF CAR. *DSH

NHTSA ID 500977 · filed Jan 13, 1996

ABS SYSTEM WAS CONSTANTLY ON CAUSING THE BRAKES TO WEAR, PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURING WHERE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF. TT

NHTSA ID 959995 · filed Feb 14, 1995

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE CRIMP ON THE CONNECTOR FOR THE INJECTOR PUMP, FUEL SUPPLY HOSE FAILED, CAUSING THE RUBBER FUEL LINE TO COME LOOSE FROM THE CONNECTOR. GAS FROM THE FUEL PUMP SPRAYED INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY THIS OCCURRED JUST AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND NO FIRE OR EXPLOSION OCCURED. IT APPEARED TO BE A POORLY CRIMPED CONNECTOR, AND COULD POSE A SERIOUS HAZARD IN OTHER VEHICLES IF NOT A ISOLATED INCIDENT.*AK

NHTSA ID 718105 · filed Jan 31, 2000

THE CAR IN LEAKING FUEL FROM THE SUPPLY LINE.PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

NHTSA ID 979383 · filed Feb 20, 1996

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHEN RAINING, WATER LEAKS AND SETTLES ON THE RIGHT FRONT FLOOR. *SLC

NHTSA ID 553987 · filed Aug 24, 2000

I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. I REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH, FUSIBLE LINK, AND STARTER WHEN THE IGNITION STARTED TO SMOKE/BURN WHEN STARTING IN THE PARKING LOT. THE REPLACEMENT STARTER FAILED 3 MONTHS LATER AND THE REPLACEMENT FUSIBLE LINK 4 MONTHS LATER. I HAVE ALSO HAD THE POWER WINDOWS REPAIRED 3 TIMES, THE POWER LOCKS TWICE, THE BATTERY TWICE, AND THE TURN SIGNAL/MULTIFUNCTION LEVER ONCE IN 3 1/2 YEARS. A POWER LOCK BROKE AGAIN A FEW WEEKS AGO. *AK

NHTSA ID 722075 · filed Apr 28, 2000

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

SAFETY CABLE FOR COLUMN GEAR SHIFT FAILED TO WORK ALLOWING CHILD TO SHIFT GEARS, RESULTING IN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID 525217 · filed Nov 14, 1997

STEERING SYSTEM FAILURE, PIN HOLDING THE STEERING WHEEL CAME OFF, TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING WHILE DRIVING *AK

NHTSA ID 980127 · filed Mar 5, 1996

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. I REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH, FUSIBLE LINK, AND STARTER WHEN THE IGNITION STARTED TO SMOKE/BURN WHEN STARTING IN THE PARKING LOT. THE REPLACEMENT STARTER FAILED 3 MONTHS LATER AND THE REPLACEMENT FUSIBLE LINK 4 MONTHS LATER. I HAVE ALSO HAD THE POWER WINDOWS REPAIRED 3 TIMES, THE POWER LOCKS TWICE, THE BATTERY TWICE, AND THE TURN SIGNAL/MULTIFUNCTION LEVER ONCE IN 3 1/2 YEARS. A POWER LOCK BROKE AGAIN A FEW WEEKS AGO. *AK

NHTSA ID 722075 · filed Apr 28, 2000

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

VEHICLE'S REAR LAP BELTS WERE IN LOCKED POSITION, AND THE WHOLE LAP BELT AND ANCHOR CAME OUT OF BACK SEAT. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK CONSUMER STATES BOTH BELTS CAME UNMOUNTED AND OUT OF THE SEAT, CONSUMER DOES NOT HAVE ANY CHILDREN AND THESE BELTS ARE HARDLY USED. *SLC

NHTSA ID 814930 · filed Aug 1, 1997

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WARNING LIGHT FAILED WHEN LIGHTS LEFT ON AND KEYS IN IGNITION.

NHTSA ID 605449 · filed Oct 4, 1997

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .